Carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be painful and debilitating, affects people from all walks of life and lines of work. It can be caused by repetitive motions that strain the wrists, such as weightlifting or even typing with badly positioned hands.
It’s estimated that carpal tunnel syndrome can cost a worker around $30,000 in medical bills and sick leave.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow conduit in your wrist through which nine flexor tendons and the median nerve enter your hand.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) manifests as pain, numbing, and tingling in parts of the hand. It’s caused by pressure on the median nerve due to swelling or other changes in the carpal tunnel. Some sufferers of CTS are born with small carpal tunnels, but it also may be caused by repetitive stress or a wide range of medical conditions.
Sufferers of CTS are more commonly women and people between the ages of 30 and 60. Some common medical conditions associated with CTS include fractures in wrist bones, arthritis, cysts or tumors in the wrist, infection, obesity, and diabetes.
What does carpal tunnel syndrome feel like? Primary signs and symptoms are numbness and tingling in the palm and fingers, general weakness or difficulty gripping, difficulty with fine motor skills, and pain in the wrists, hands, or all the way to the elbow. Some patients may experience pain at night, which can be a sign of significant CTS.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Whether your CTS is the result of work, or exercise and leisure activities, there are ways to keep CTS from getting worse. Here are a few key strategies.

CTS in the Workplace

If repetitive motions at work have caused your carpal tunnel syndrome, it may be impossible to abstain from those activities. But there are ways you can reduce the impact of workplace obligations.
Ergonomics, or how you sit, stand, and move at work, can be a major contributing factor to CTS. Here are a few ways to correct your posture and adjust your work environment to lessen symptoms:

• Take frequent breaks to rest and relieve the tension in your wrists and hands.
• Wear splints to keep your wrists in a neutral position.
• Keep your keyboard positioned so your hands are not pointed upward while typing.
• Invest in a cushioned mousepad or wrist pad.
• Sit with good posture at your desk (slouching forward can create bad conditions for typing).

Stretches and Exercises for Athletes

Weightlifters and bodybuilders are particularly prone to developing CTS since repetitive lifting motions can cause damage over time. To prevent CTS, here are a few things to work into your gym routine:

• Keep your wrists in a neutral position during activities like lifting weights — avoid overextension.
• Soak your hands and wrists in warm water before physical activities.
• Stretch your fingers, hands, and wrists before and after physical activities.
• If you are lifting weights, wear adequately padded gloves.

Exercises to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Exercise your hands and wrists for at least five minutes before and after work or working out, and periodically throughout your shift or workout to decrease pressure on the median nerve:

• With arms extended, make tight fists with your hands then slowly bend your wrists down. Count to five then release.
• Straighten your wrists and relax your fingers. Count to five and then release.
• Extend your arms and flex your hands as if you are doing a handstand. Count to five and then release.
• Repeat these exercises for five minutes, then relax your wrists, hands, and fingers and shake them for a few seconds.

Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Surgery is the most commonly recommended treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 300,000 and 500,000 people undergo surgery to correct CTS each year.
But chiropractic care is a less invasive alternative that may provide significant relief without surgery. For some patients, surgery is not an option because of other health issues. Others may simply desire to pursue less invasive treatment first. A doctor of chiropractic can always provide a referral if necessary or desired.
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care was as successful at improving function and comfort in CTS patients as conservative traditional medical treatment. Another pilot study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine had similar results, with significant improvements in function and the severity of symptoms.
Chiropractors utilize a variety of techniques to address CTS, including joint manipulation and mobilization, soft-tissue mobilization, and more. Your doctor of chiropractic can also advise you on proper workplace ergonomics and posture.
Carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t have to impede your ability to work or exercise. Please contact us if you’d like more information about CTS or to schedule a consultation. In addition to the tips above, our doctors can work with you to successfully reduce your symptoms and help prevent future pain.